There are about 135,000 EU students in UK universities and vice-chancellors recently called for “urgent clarification” about the status of EU students who might apply for courses beginning in autumn 2019.

So far there is no long-term decision or reciprocal deal on how UK students in the EU, or EU students in the UK, will be treated post-Brexit.

If EU students were to be classified as overseas students, their fees would be much higher which could deter them from studying in the UK.

Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage captionUK universities are waiting to find out about future access to EU research funding

It would also be likely to make it more expensive for UK students in EU universities, such as in the Netherlands.

But the education secretary has announced a guarantee for EU students applying to universities in England for 2019-20, that they will continue to have “home fee status” beyond the UK’s departure from the EU.

This stretches out funding until the summer of 2023 for those on three-year degree courses.

For those applying from the EU in following years, the level of fee is likely to depend on wider Brexit negotiations.

‘Matter of urgency’

EU students in the UK are most concentrated in Russell Group universities, London institutions and in Scotland.

At University College London there are more than 4,400 EU students – almost 10% of its total. The University of Edinburgh has 3,600 EU students, about 11% of its total.

The London School of Economics has almost 2,000 EU students, representing almost 18% of its students. Cambridge has more than 2,500 EU students, about 13%.

Top 10 UK universities with the highest proportion of EU students

University of Aberdeen

London School of Economics

Imperial College London

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

School of Oriental and African Studies, London

University of the Arts, London

University of Cambridge

University of Essex

King’s College London

Edinburgh Napier and University College London

Universities UK warned the government in June that it was a “matter of urgency” that students from the EU should be given information on future fee levels, otherwise it would put at risk their “great economic and academic value”.

The government has now provided this reassurance for at least the first year after Brexit.

“Students from the EU make an important contribution to the universities sector and it is a testament to our system that so many students from abroad choose to come and study here,” said Mr Hinds.

“Today we are providing clarity and certainty on their fees for the duration of their courses.”

Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, said it would provide “much needed clarity for EU students and for universities”.

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